Pakistan's seasoned diplomat Sohail Mahmood on Wednesday took over as the country's new foreign secretary.

Before being appointed as the foreign secretary, Mahmood served as Pakistan's High Commissioner to India.

"Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood assumed charge and called on the Foreign Minister today," Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said.

Mahmood replaced Tehmina Janjua, who retired on April 16 after serving in the position for two years.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi congratulated the foreign secretary on assuming charge.

During the meeting, the two discussed the different contours of foreign policy.

Mahmood was appointed as high commissioner to India in August 2017. He was serving as ambassador to Turkey when sent to India.&nbsp;

He previously also served at Washington and New York in addition to another posting in his long career.

In an interview to PTI before leaving for Islamabad this week, Mahmood said Pakistan is hoping for "re-engagement" with India after the Lok Sabha polls as structured dialogue will help the two countries understand mutual concerns, resolve disputes and build the edifice of durable peace and security.

Mahmood also said there was a need for an "objective" narrative about Pakistan in India which could facilitate peaceful, cooperative and good neighbourly ties.

The relations between India and Pakistan remained tense since 2016. Their ties further nose-dived following a string of cross-border terror attacks in 2016 and India's subsequent surgical strikes.

Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.

Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.&nbsp;

Pakistan's seasoned diplomat Sohail Mahmood on Wednesday took over as the country's new foreign secretary. Before being appointed as the foreign secretary, Mahmood served as Pakistan's High Commissioner to India.

Pakistan's seasoned diplomat Sohail Mahmood on Wednesday took over as the country's new foreign secretary. Before being appointed as the foreign secretary, Mahmood served as Pakistan's High Commissioner to India. "Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood assumed charge and called on the Foreign Minister today," Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Faisal said. Mahmood replaced Tehmina Janjua, who retired on April 16 after serving in the position for two years. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi congratulated the foreign secretary on assuming charge. During the meeting, the two discussed the different contours of foreign policy. Mahmood was appointed as high commissioner to India in August 2017. He was serving as ambassador to Turkey when sent to India. He previously also served at Washington and New York in addition to another posting in his long career. In an interview to PTI before leaving for Islamabad this week, Mahmood said Pakistan is hoping for "re-engagement" with India after the Lok Sabha polls as structured dialogue will help the two countries understand mutual concerns, resolve disputes and build the edifice of durable peace and security. Mahmood also said there was a need for an "objective" narrative about Pakistan in India which could facilitate peaceful, cooperative and good neighbourly ties. The relations between India and Pakistan remained tense since 2016. Their ties further nose-dived following a string of cross-border terror attacks in 2016 and India's subsequent surgical strikes. Tensions flared up between India and Pakistan after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammed (JeM) killed 40 CRPF personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting the biggest JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in aerial combat and captured an IAF pilot, who was handed over to India on March 1.

Pakistan's newly appointed foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood assumes office

India has come strongly on Islamabad a day after<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pak-foreign-minister-calls-hurriyat-leader-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-india-calls-it-regressive-step-193753"> Pakistan's High Commissioner to India</a> Sohail Mahmood was summoned after Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Valley.

Highlighting the divergence in the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-summons-pak-high-commissioner-over-foreign-minister-qureshis-phone-call-to-hurriyat-leader-mirwaiz-umar-farooq-193958">Pakistani government, ministry of external</a> affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "this is bit confusing is while one part of the government is talking about building bridges and peace, the other part which is exactly acting the opposite of what one part is talking about. Absolutely no clarity and it lacks seriousness."

On the Qureshi-Mirwaiz phone call, Raveesh Kumar said: "No doubt that this again exposes Pakistan's duplicity when they talk about peace at one hand and at the same time working together with forces which are pushing or fomenting anti-India sentiments. "

This comes even as Islamabad summoned the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Thursday morning. Islamabad has also in a press release issued by Pakistan's foreign ministry "dismissed" objections raised by India on the phone call.

FM Qureshi will be visiting the United Kingdom soon for a number of events including anti-India conferences on Kashmir. Events that are being organized in London includes an event at House of Commons and an exhibition from 4-5 February.

Reacting to the development, MEA spokesperson said, "What we have noticed in recent months, the level at which anti-India sentiments are being pushed across the world, this is something unprecedented. I don't think we have noticed this level of action on their part."

India has "strongly" taken the issue up with UK and hopes "they do understand our objections to proposed conference and take appropriate action"

Adding further, Raveesh said,"UK is aware about our sensitivities in the matter. As a friendly country and as a strategic partner, we hope that government of UK will address our concerns which we have explained to them on the proposed conference which very clearly is intended to undermine the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of India."

On Jan 26th this year, India's Republic Day, the Indian flag was burnt by Pakistan backed Khalistani elements.

India has come strongly on Islamabad a day after Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was summoned after Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Valley.

India has come strongly on Islamabad a day after Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Sohail Mahmood was summoned after Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke with separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who heads All Parties Hurriyat Conference in the Valley. Highlighting the divergence in the Pakistani government, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "this is bit confusing is while one part of the government is talking about building bridges and peace, the other part which is exactly acting the opposite of what one part is talking about. Absolutely no clarity and it lacks seriousness." On the Qureshi-Mirwaiz phone call, Raveesh Kumar said: "No doubt that this again exposes Pakistan's duplicity when they talk about peace at one hand and at the same time working together with forces which are pushing or fomenting anti-India sentiments. " This comes even as Islamabad summoned the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Ajay Bisaria on Thursday morning. Islamabad has also in a press release issued by Pakistan's foreign ministry "dismissed" objections raised by India on the phone call. FM Qureshi will be visiting the United Kingdom soon for a number of events including anti-India conferences on Kashmir. Events that are being organized in London includes an event at House of Commons and an exhibition from 4-5 February. Reacting to the development, MEA spokesperson said, "What we have noticed in recent months, the level at which anti-India sentiments are being pushed across the world, this is something unprecedented. I don't think we have noticed this level of action on their part." India has "strongly" taken the issue up with UK and hopes "they do understand our objections to proposed conference and take appropriate action" Adding further, Raveesh said,"UK is aware about our sensitivities in the matter. As a friendly country and as a strategic partner, we hope that government of UK will address our concerns which we have explained to them on the proposed conference which very clearly is intended to undermine the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of India." On Jan 26th this year, India's Republic Day, the Indian flag was burnt by Pakistan backed Khalistani elements.

India expresses displeasure to UK over Pak foreign minister Qureshi's upcoming anti-India conference

Pakistan&#39;s High Commissioner to India&nbsp;Abdul Basit is set to become the country&#39;s new foreign secretary, media reports said here today. 
 
The Nawaz Sharif government has &quot;in principle&quot; decided to appoint Basit as the country&#39;s new foreign secretary, replacing Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry who has been designated as Pakistan&#39;s ambassador to the US, The News reported. 
 
Prime Minister Sharif, who is also retaining the portfolio of the Foreign Affairs, has concluded consultations for appointing new administrative head of the Foreign Office, the daily said. 
 
It is likely that the announcement pertaining to the appointment of Basit would be made next week, the report said. 
 
Fifty eight-year-old Basit is the senior most among the contenders for the top post. 
 
Pakistan&#39;s permanent representative to the United Nations Geneva headquarters Tehmina Janjua, Pakistan&#39;s former Chief of Protocol and Ambassador to France Ghalib Iqbal, country&#39;s ambassador for Denmark Masroor Junejo and Pakistan&#39;s High Commissioner for United Kingdom Syed Ibne Hasan were the other contenders for the post. 
 
Basit, who has varied experience of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, was selected for the job three years back also but could not be appointed due to technical reasons and instead posted as High Commissioner in New Delhi. He was previously serving as ambassador to Germany. 
 
Pakistan will take the decision about new High Commissioner in India after Basit&#39;s return, the daily said.

(PTI)

Abdul Basit is set to replace Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry who has been designated as Pakistan's ambassador to the US, according to media report

Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit is set to become the country's new foreign secretary, media reports said here today. The Nawaz Sharif government has "in principle" decided to appoint Basit as the country's new foreign secretary, replacing Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry who has been designated as Pakistan's ambassador to the US, The News reported. Prime Minister Sharif, who is also retaining the portfolio of the Foreign Affairs, has concluded consultations for appointing new administrative head of the Foreign Office, the daily said. It is likely that the announcement pertaining to the appointment of Basit would be made next week, the report said. Fifty eight-year-old Basit is the senior most among the contenders for the top post. Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations Geneva headquarters Tehmina Janjua, Pakistan's former Chief of Protocol and Ambassador to France Ghalib Iqbal, country's ambassador for Denmark Masroor Junejo and Pakistan's High Commissioner for United Kingdom Syed Ibne Hasan were the other contenders for the post. Basit, who has varied experience of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, was selected for the job three years back also but could not be appointed due to technical reasons and instead posted as High Commissioner in New Delhi. He was previously serving as ambassador to Germany. Pakistan will take the decision about new High Commissioner in India after Basit's return, the daily said. (PTI)

Pakistan's high commissioner to India set to be new foreign secretary

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Pakistan's newly appointed foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood assumes office

India expresses displeasure to UK over Pak foreign minister Qureshi's upcoming anti-India conference

Pakistan's high commissioner to India set to be new foreign secretary